Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
Bvlgari Monete 18k Yellow Gold Ancient Coin Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Bvlgari Monete Necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, epitomizes the brand's Roman essence with its authentic ancient bronze follis centerpiece. The Monete collection, a testamen...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Monete 18k Yellow Gold Ancient Coin Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Bvlgari Monete Necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, epitomizes the brand's Roman essence with its authentic ancient bronze follis centerpiece. The Monete collection, a testamen...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Monete 18k Yellow Gold Ancient Coin Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
This Bvlgari Monete Necklace, crafted in 18k yellow gold, embodies the brand's Roman heritage with its genuine ancient Roman bronze coin centerpiece. The Monete collection, a corners...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hermes Paris Vintage 18k Yellow Gold French Necklace
By Hermès
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Hermes Paris Vintage Yellow Gold Braided Necklace. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this necklace exemplifies the luxury and exquisite craftsmanship synonymous with Hermes. Weighing...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Boucheron 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Pendant Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Boucheron Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Pendant Necklace with Circular Motif. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this necklace embodies the elegance and artistry synonymous with Bouche...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hermes Chaine d'ancre Danae Pendant 18k Yellow Gold Necklace
By Hermès
Located in Feasterville, PA
A Hermès Chaîne d'Ancre Danaé Pendant Necklace in Yellow Gold. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this necklace embodies the essence of Hermès' storied equestrian heritage and innovative...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold Monete 3cm Coin Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Monete necklace by Bvlgari captures the house’s celebrated ability to merge ancient history with refined modern design. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, the pendant features ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Antique Coin Monete 38" Long Yellow Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Ancient Antique Coin Monete 38" Long Link Necklace by Bulgari. The Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Antique Coin Monete 38" Link Necklace showcases ancient coin set within a...
Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Bulgari Monete Gold Chain Necklace Ancient Roman Coins
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A spectacular Bulgari Monete 18k gold necklace, featuring eight ancient Roman coins. This vintage Bulgari Monete necklace is made of 18k gold and set with a series of authentic ancie...
18k Gold, Mixed Metal, Gold
Bulgari Inspired Monete 18k Yellow Gold Roman Coin Pendant Necklace circa 1970s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Bulgari-inspired Monete 18k Yellow Gold Roman Coin Pendant Necklace circa 1970s is a remarkable piece of jewelry that blends ancient history with timeless elegance. The focal po...
Bvlgari ‘Monete’ American 1806 Half Eagle Liberty Gold Coin Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari ‘Monete’ American Gold Coin Necklace In 18K Yellow Gold. The necklace features very rare 1806 Half Eagle Liberty coin stationed in the center, bezel set in 18k yellow gold...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Bulgari Gold and Steel Coin Monete Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Iconic 18k gold and stainless steel chain necklace by Bvlgari, with a gold coin pendant. Necklace is 15" long, pendant is 1" in diameter and 1.5" long with bale (bale opens up). Mark...
Gold, Steel
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
